Black sand?

Strictly Pet Supplies (dot com) has a much better price on black sand. I am using it on top of eco-complete and getting satisfactory results.
 
I have used onyx sand since it was supposed to be good with plants, but realized I was after a much darker color after I saw it in the aquarium. It was a light grey and I really wanted black so I just bought regular black aquarium gravel and put on top. Since sand will always sink to the bottom and gravel on top it worked very well. With just a thin layer of black gravel it covers it pretty good. Trying to do the opposite - putting gravel under sand - is practically futile, the sand will tend to sink and gravel rise.
 
omg alicialav those prices are really really good.

too bad i need 100 pounds. shipping is killer (obviously)

thanks for the link. i will need that in the future for a smaller tank.
 
I use Soilmaster Black for my 46gallon.. Absolute gorgeous looking substrate. Its about half the diameter of pea gravel, and the color is black/grey with specs of red. Best part about it - a 50lb bag costs less than 20USD.

The only problems with it is finding a supplier and cleaning it the first time. It's nowhere near as bad as flourite or eco-complete, and I'm guessing its also better than sand. But it took 3 rinses and half a day of filtering through activated carbon before the water became clear.
 
there is a fine river gravel that comes in a charcoal grey available in LFS around my area. It's quite pricey at $24/25lbs but even so, I'm considering using it in my 150G. I don't recall the brand name, but if it interests you, I can check it out next time I'm out.
 
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alphaneko said:
I use Soilmaster Black for my 46gallon.. Absolute gorgeous looking substrate. Its about half the diameter of pea gravel, and the color is black/grey with specs of red. Best part about it - a 50lb bag costs less than 20USD.
Click to expand...

Is this what folks are talking about when they say Soilmaster Select that is grey in color? Or is there one thats actually black?
 
It's charcaol gray - which is pretty much black. But I hear it fades pretty hard over time and washes out. I keep thinking I want to try it out, but then I hear how it fades so I think twice.

But I'm not one to go on hearsay, so I will get a bag eventually.
 
I purchased a case of pure black sand from my local mom and pop aquarium supply spot! It's the most beutiful sand i have seen! I have lot's of plants and odd ball fish loving it (espeacially my spiney eel who loves to burrow!)!
:look: The name of the product is called aqua terra from world wide imports ent.,inc of fort lauderdale florida 33309!
Peace Be Upon You Tank Lover!
P.S.,
The contrast of plants greenery and the black sand is so awsome maaaaan you gonna love it! my fish are not that colorful but the sand makes them shine like diamonds for real! :cool2: :thm:
 
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Black backgrounds are pretty nice too! I plan on painting the back of the tank black and using some black substrate on the tank I am setting up now. Still debating. Its going to cost a ton for the size of the tank :eek: Wish they had a black flourite, eco complete from what I calulate will cost me about $90 more than flourite will. ADA aqua soil will cost about the same as eco.
 
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